Chicago (CG 11) - Naval Cruise Book

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THE SKIPPER Captain Cox was born in Farragut, Iowa, on May 6, 1921, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph E. Cox. He was Xvaledictorian at Farragut High School and the honor graduate at Wentworth Military Academy, Lexington, Missouri before entering the U. S. Naval Academy in 1940. While at the Academy, he was president of the Quarterback Society and the Art Club, Regimental Adjutant, and a member of the championship intercollegiate fencing team. A member of the Class of 1944, he was commissioned Ensign in June 1943, subsequently advancing to the rank of Captain. Following graduation from the Naval Academy, Captain Cox served in the battleship USS IDAHOQBB- 425 during World War II in the 'Pacific area and after- wards on board the USS MADDOX fDD-7311, as Gun- nery Officer. He then went to Johns Hopkins University of ordnance engineering post-graduate training in guided missiles, earning an MS degree in Electrical Engineering. Further experience in weapons and missiles was gained while serving as Gunnery Officer in the USS RICHARD E. KRAUSEg as Missile Test Officer in the USS MISSISSIPPI, and as Surface-to-Air Guided Missile Test Officer on the staff of the Chief of Naval Operations. He was Executive Officer of the USS DECATUR QDD-936y, helping to place that ship in commission at Boston in December of 1956. His next assignment was the TERRIER and TARTAR Research and Devel- ment Project Officer and Program Manager in the Bureau of Naval Weapons. In 1960 and 1961, Captain Cox attended the War College of the U. S. AIR FORCE at Maxwell Field, Alabama. Following graduation from this senior col- lege of the Air Force, he was ordered to supervise the completion and the manning of USS ROBISON as Prospective Commanding Officer. - On the first of December 1961, at Boston, Massachusetts, Captain Cox placed USS ROBISON QDDG-125 in commission as first Commanding Officer of that new Guided Missile Destroyer. After fitting out the ship, he took ROBISON through the Panama Canal to her new home port of San Diego, California. En route, his ship rescued a group of shipwrecked San Diego tuna men from Clipperton Island. After commanding the ship through her training exercises and first deployment in the Far' East, Captain Cox reported to new duty in Wahington, D.C. as Executive Assistant for Surface Missile Systems in the' Bureau of Naval Personnel. In April 1965, he assumed duties as Head of the Enlisted Distribution Branch in that Bureau. - . He reported on board USS CHICAGO ICG-Ill in July 1966 to assume command. Captain Cox is married to the former Evelyn Brewer of Annapolis, Maryland. They have three children, Gena, Vance Jr., and Tommy. .-.- The Captain and Rear Admiral Baumberger

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5 gi? ,x CAPTAIN DONALD VANCE COX USN Commandmg Off1cer 25 July 1966 9 E.-if

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' E EET VE F 18 January 1965 to 6 June 1966 COMMANDER HDLL S T. RODGERS i 1 V 44